Technology can take riders to next level

Besides teamwork, the most important factors in cycling are: One - how much power you can put down on your pedals, and two - getting in the most aerodynamic position possible to slice through winds at high speeds.

First things first: While a world-class bike won't guarantee you a win in the Tour de France - or a victory in your local bike race for that matter - it will give you a decided advantage over an ordinary-off-the rack model. The famous saying, "It's not about the bike, it's the engine," was probably made up by someone who only had experiences riding the best equipment.

And the good news? You too, can buy a bike the pros use, give or take a couple of thousand dollars. Top-of-the-line road bikes run anywhere from $4,000 to over $10,000, but those searching for a cheaper alternative can find quality road bikes for around $1,000. The biggest differences are in the components, where lighter equals better - and more expensive. Thorburn, a member of San Mateo-based Webcor, rides a 17-pound Orbea Dama Race, which combines an aluminum and carbon frame. Carbon is the latest rage, because of its comfortable ride and it tends to be lighter. Thorburn, however, prefers a carbon and aluminum combination.

"Aluminum frames are great because when you stand out of the pedal, the frame doesn't flex too much and you're saving energy to maximize performance," Thorburn said. "But titanium is the most comfortable. I always say that I'll be riding a titanium bike when I retire, but aluminum and carbon as a racer."

Racers tend to go with bikes that are 18 pounds or less, and everything besides the frame is counted in grams or milligrams. There are 456 grams to a pound.

Because there are so many parts to a bike, weight tends to add up quickly. A Shimano Dura-Ace 10-speed combo crank set/shift levers/front and rear derailleur, regarded by some as the top-end choice of its kind, runs for around $1,100. A lesser-end model, meanwhile, can run as low as $200. The difference? With the Shimano Dura-Ace, you tend to get a quicker shift and it's extremely light weight.

There have been drastic improvements in wheels as well. High-end wheels tend to have 16 to 20 bladed spokes, making for improved weight savings and aerodynamics. A Mavic Ksyrium Super Light front and rear wheel combination will set you back $800, but with a combined weight of just 1,442 grams - a little or three pounds - you know you're paying for racing performance.

Cyclists no longer have to worry about keeping their heads cool - literally. High-end helmets today have up to 28 vents and are so light that cyclists will barely feel they're wearing anything. A Giro Atmos runs for $180, although there are numerous, quality helmets that run for less than half that price.

One gadget that is a must for the racing enthusiast is a power meter. To separate herself from the pack, Thorburn combines a meticulous training approach relying on data from her heart rate monitors and power meters. Thorburn has a power meter on her crank arm to measure wattage output. She will periodically ride on an indoor track and through various positions on the bike can figure out the optimum position out of the saddle. It's a more affordable version of riding in a wind tunnel.

"I'm measuring the power required so I can improve my efficiency," she said. "Power doesn't lie. The amount of pressure you can put on your pedals determines how fast you can go."

While the legs, heart and lungs are the most important factors in crossing the finishing line, you'll also need the technology to get you there the fastest.